These programs can generate 3D views of objects made of planar surfaces from an arbitary choosen view point in space. Objects or parts of objects which are not visible from the view point, will not be drawn. This is known as "Hidden Line Removal" and was very common in the 1970s and 1980s.

This software set contains two programs - VIEW* and MAIN* on separate disk volumes.

MAIN* is used to generate 3D Views from given model files. VIEW* is used to view prerendered model views generated by MAIN*

Usage of MAIN* Start the executable MAIN*. from the MAIN disc (#3:MAIN*.). Insert the model1 disc into default floppy drive. Press key "m". Enter model file name "#3:FRA9" --> System loads model files FRA9_P and FRA_9V. Press key "p" --> Plots view in "wire frame" (No hidden line removal). Press key "d" --> Changes Drawing Mode to "Solid" Press key "p" --> Plots view with hidden lines removed. This may take a long time because there are a lot of computations involved.

There are several view parameters you can change:

View parameter: View point: Point in space where the observer is located. Ref point: Point in space where the observer is looking to, (usualy 0 0 0). Front clipping distance: Objects before this distance will be clipped. Back clipping distance: Objects behind this distance will be clipped. View angle x: Horizontal dihedral angle. View angle y: Vertical dihedral angle. Both angles relate to the focal length of a virtual lens.

By changing these parameters, you can view the objects from any location. Usually you generate views with drawing mode "wire frame" until you are satisfied with the view. Then you can plot with drawing mode "solid" to generate the final view.

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